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Eddy Merckx, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Giro 1968

Tre Cime di Lavaredo was included in the 12th stage of the 1968 Giro. The weather was bad that day. There was a breakaway which started with around ten minutes of advantage to the climb. But it would become one of the historical days in the history of the Giro d’Italia: under the bitter rain and snow, Merckx closed a ten-minute gap on a breakaway group to win the stage and seal the first Belgian victory in Giro d’Italia. He was wearing shorts, a short-sleeve jersey, thick gloves and a woolen cap – his photo at the finish was a summary of a dreadful – but glorious day on the bike. The second rider who crossed the finish line atop Tre Cime at 40 seconds to Merckx was Giancarlo Polidori (Pepsi Cola), the only survivor of the original breakaway. At 54 seconds, Adorni finished in third.

Eddy Merckx won the 1968 Giro d’Italia. It was his first grand tour victory. Later in his career, he won four more Giri, five Tours, and a Vuelta.